New South Charm

Monday, February 23, 2015

Baked Penne Pasta

It's a story we've all heard before -- girl loves pasta, girl loves cheese, girl finds recipe that combines her two greatest loves. Okay... okay so maybe my greatest loves aren't really pasta and cheese, BUT they are pretty high on my list.

I saw this pasta dish on All Recipes I made a few changes to the original (my mom says that's called making it your own) to make it easier to prepare. Of course I added more cheese. This recipe got my Hubby's stamp of approval. I guess that makes this new entree a keeper.

Recipe

What You’ll Need:

1 pound ground beef

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped yellow or white onion
1 jar of marinara sauce (I used Paul Newman’s Own)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 box of penne pasta
1 cup Italian Blend Cheese (can substitute mozzarella or provolone)
1 cup cheddar or Colby Monetary Jack
Salt and Pepper

Putting It All together:

Prepare pasta according to directions

Sauce:
In a medium sauce pan combine ingredients over medium heat
Combine one jar of marinara sauce (brand of your choice) with
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
Stir well and cover; stir occasionally while cooking

Beef:

Coat the bottom of a large skillet with the Olive Oil and then heat up over medium high heat
Once oil is warm add in bell pepper and onions allow to cook until onion begin to change to clear
Add beef and brown until done

In a 9x13 casserole dish layer pasta (drained but not rinsed) and half of the beef, and 1 cup of Italian Blend Cheese.

In a 9x13 casserole dish layer pasta (drained but not rinsed) and half of the beef, and 1 cup of Italian Blend Cheese.

Next pour on the sauce. Then add the next layer of ground beef.

Then add the next layer of ground beef.

Then cover the entire thing in MORE cheese -- time Colby and Monetary Jack Cheese.

I serve this pasta dish with a fresh green salad, and crispy bread. I like to put a little dish of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar on the table for dipping. Besides being delicious, this dish was really easy to make and filling, a great week night meal.

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Susanne

Monday, February 2, 2015

Spicy Sloppy Joes

This twist on traditional Sloppy Joes gives them a little kick without taking the flavor too far from the original.

Sloppy Joes have been a favorite food of mine since I was a little girl. My mom used to make them when I was a kid. I always love the combination of the bread and tangy tomatoes. Of course it didn’t hurt that they were messy and fun to eat.

In order to kick these Sloppy Joes up a notch I’m adding some heat from the spice cabinet. This recipe features both chili powder and red pepper flakes. See I told you SPICY.

If the chili powder and red pepper flakes don’t bring enough heat for you then you can add hot sauce. It’s all a matter of taste.

Recipe

What You’ll Need (makes 4 sandwiches)

1 pound ground beef

2 tablespoons of butter

1 large bell pepper

1 small onion or ½ of a large onion

2 cloves of garlic (or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder)

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder (you can use less for a milder taste)

1 teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (again you can use less)

2 cups ketchup

2-3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (or to taste)

A splash of Tabasco or Hot Sauce (optional)

Buns

Putting it all Together

Dice the onion, bell pepper, and garlic cloves then set aside.

In a small bowl mix together dry spices and brown sugar then set aside.

In a large pot or skillet melt butter over medium high heat.

Brown beef adding diced vegetables halfway through. Add salt and pepper to your taste to skillet. Continue cooking until meat is browned and vegetables are tender.
Drain off fat.

Next add in the ketchup, spice and sugar mixture, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer two minutes.
Add a cup of water. Stir until well combined and then simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

Serve on toasted bread or buns of your choice.

Happy Cooking Y'all!

Susanne

Sunday, February 1, 2015

12 Rice Dishes for Dinner Tonight

Around here rice is a constant staple in my pantry. I keep it stocked for several reasons. There are the obvious ones: its’ cheap, it’s filling, and it’s easy to prepare. But those aren't the only reasons I keep it on hand. Rice is one of the most flexible foods you can buy. Its versatility is almost endless. I use it as an entrée, in casseroles, as a side dish, and even in soup. Plus you can prepare it to go with Mexican food, Chinese dishes, Indian dishes. Check out these recipes for ideas for lots of delicious recipes for putting rice on your dinner table.

Apple Fried Rice

from The Kitchen is my Playground

Spicy Rice Casserole Recipe

from Living On A Dime

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

from New South Charm

Italian Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

from Blommi

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

from Rate the Plate Utah

Weeknight Burrito Bar

from See Mom Click

Red Beans and Rice

from Thrifty Jinxy

Cheesy Fiesta Chicken One Pot Meals

from A Mom's Take

Ritzy Chicken

from New South Charm

Jambalaya
from Love Bakes Good Cakes

Broccoli and Rice Casserole
from Newton Custom Interiors

Latin Veracruz Salmon Rice Skillet
from What's Cooking Love?

Happy Cookin’ Y’all!

Susanne

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tex Mex Casserole

The weather here is warmer this week than last. Last week it was in the twenties and thirties; today it was sixty degrees. This is January it should be snowing, right? Not that I’m hoping for snow. It’s just that’s the weather I expect in January.

Maybe it’s the crazy winter weather. Maybe it’s that I've been sick with the flu and then bronchitis. Or maybe it’s just how busy I've been recovering from all the things I didn't get done when I was sick. But today I was craving comfort food. One of my favorite comfort foods is Tex-Mex Casserole. This is delightfully easy throw together. It’s made with simple ingredients that combine together to create a smokey flavored ground beef dish with some spice.

If you've been following New South Charm on Facebook then you know one of my big goals for 2015 is to simply cook and eat at home more. That single goal has the opportunity to reflect on our lives in several positive ways including better eating habits and saving money.

Now let’s get down to the recipe for this simple casserole.

Recipe

What You’ll Need

1 pound ground round

1 small green bell pepper (diced)

1 small yellow onion (diced)

½ a small red onion (diced) (optional)

1 (10 oz.) can of chilies and tomatoes (Rotel)

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

8 oz. Cheeze Whiz

4 oz. green chilies

1 tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp. butter

1 tsp. worcestershire

1 tsp. garlic powder or three cloves minced

1 packet taco seasoning

1 bag tortilla chips

salt and pepper to taste

Putting It All Together

In a large skillet warm olive oil and butter.

Add in onions and peppers and cook until tender

When vegetables are cooked through brown beef stir in taco seasoning (this is where I add salt and pepper) until combined

In a medium sauce pan over medium low add together cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup stir until combined

Add in can of rotel style tomatoes, chilies, Worcestershire sauce and Cheeze Whiz to sauce pan allow to heat through stirring occasionally once warm remove from heat

Prepare a 9x13 inch casserole dish spaying it with nonstick cooking spray (tip: line it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup)

Line bottom of tray with crushed chips

Layer on ground beef and half the cheese sauce

Sprinkle on layer of shredded cheese

Repeat process

Top with a few crushed chips and cheese on the top

Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350⁰

Garnish with sour cream, jalapenos, or salsa

Happy Cooking Y’all!

Susanne

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Most Popular Recipes of 2014

The end of 2014 is quickly approaching. I’m glad to say it’s been a good year. We experienced more good times than bad times and more laughter than tears. Looking back on the year that’s passed is common this time of year. Part of my year has been starting and working on this blog. It's been so much fun sharing and creating my favorite recipes and crafts with y'all. The five recipes in this collection were the most popular on the blog and Pinterest. They are all favorites here at our house too.

Rotel Chicken Pasta

Creamy Chicken Farfalle

Fast and Easy Quesadillas

Ritzy Chicken

Taco Casserole

I'm excited for the new year and I can't wait to see what God will bring to our lives. I hope you have a great 2015 too!

Happy New Year Y’all!

Susanne

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Bring out the holly...

Bring out the holly… I love that old song from Mame. The joy they fill in that song about decking the halls. Is the same feeling I get when it's time to pull out the boxes. Do you get that same feeling? Does your heart feel a little bit lighter when you see a family heirloom ornament? Or when you finally get everything in place and you realize your living room looks only slightly less jolly than the North Pole? I love all those feelings. I love to walk around the house and my Santa Collection on display. I love seeing my tree filled with ornaments that were gifts or picked up on vacations. But there’s also something else I love about this time of year, decorating with holiday greenery. I think they are beautiful and they bring that smell of Christmas into the house.

I bought this little wooden tree a few years ago. I've never really figured out what to do with it and for a few years it’s been tucked away in the box ignored. This year it’s found a home in a basket of pine, cedar, and pine cones on my coffee table. To make this arrangement you just need to collect enough pine to fill the basket. Then add in a few pieces of cedar and a few pine cones as accents. It's a very traditional look and if you collect the greens from your yard or a neighbors it is really inexpensive.
I did another basket of fresh pine and cedar on the fireplace mantel. To create this look I started with two small branches that had small pine cone still attached. Once I anchored them in the basket with floral foam I worked in small bunch or pine needles and twigs of cedar, until I achieved the desired look. For some additional color I placed a few red Christmas ornaments. Be prepared for your fingers to get sticky. There's usually a good deal of sap in evergreen trees.

I did another basket of fresh pine and cedar on the fireplace mantel. To create this look I started with two small branches that had small pine cones still attached. I anchored them in the basket with floral foam. Then I worked in small bunches of pine needles and twigs of cedar until I achieved the desired look. For some additional color I placed a few red Christmas ornaments. Be prepared for your fingers to get sticky. There's usually a good deal of sap in evergreen trees.

This arrangement on my dining table is created using three faux branches of pine and two bundles of red berries I picked up at Hobby Lobby just last week. I used a crystal pitcher (a wedding present) instead of a vase. The sterling sliver candlesticks were a fantastic find while antiquing in Memphis last fall. I decided to leave my favorite Blue Willow and heirloom china on the table (another great find) and add snowflake napkin rings for a festive touch.

One last touch of greenery. This time in the kitchen. This little brown bowl was the home of a few Hen and Chick succulent plants until about a month ago when my black thumb struck again. Since I had a few small sprigs left I tucked them into this bowl and added another pine cone. The picture frame in this picture is a recipe card. It's a hand written by my MeeMaw and it's for Crock-pot Baked Beans one of my favorite things she made.

So that's a little tour around my house for the holidays. I hope you enjoyed it. I know I loved putting it together and sharing it with you.

Susanne

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

12 Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

Ideas for an Easy Dinner Tonight

I love to cook. Cooking dinner is (usually) one of my favorite parts of the day. I love everything about the process from prepping the ingredients to washing dishes with my husband. Over the years I've collected a few tried and true recipes that are my “go to” favorites. But like you I get tired of cooking the same things over and over. I put these recipes together because they look like delicious easy main dishes my family will love. I hope you find a few new favorites for your family too.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Puffs